Microsoft may have just dropped the last straw

[GoodEnuff]

I use Microsoft's Hotmail for my email. This morning, when logging in to it, the login procedure had changed. Instead of using a password, you now must solve a puzzle (I hate those things), give the last four digits of your phone number, a code is texted to your phone, you enter the code and are finally signed in. PITA! No notice was sent about this change. It just happened. Did a search for this and they have also established a default that you will remain logged in unless you manually log out.

I have also noticed that so much of what one sees when doing a search on something that so much is just a way to sell you something. The news is so crazy, what do you believe? Did we bomb that Iranian school or was it an Iranian screw up? Was the refueling plane shot down or did it crash for some other reason? The list is long.

I am this close to quitting the internet, email, etc., altogether. Except maybe SF, lol.

 

[Rich]

I switched away from MS Outlook because of the nonstop glitches. Known issues would go for months, sometimes the best bet was someone would figure out a workaround.
I'm using Thunderbird now, it's free and it's good. It has it's own idiosyncrasies but working with Copilot I now have it working quite nicely.

 

[That Lady in PA]

I use Microsoft's Hotmail for my email. This morning, when logging in to it, the login procedure had changed. Instead of using a password, you now must solve a puzzle (I hate those things), give the last four digits of your phone number, a code is texted to your phone, you enter the code and are finally signed in. PITA! No notice was sent about this change. It just happened. Did a search for this and they have also established a default that you will remain logged in unless you manually log out.

Hmmmm... I have not had to do any of that.

yet.

Hotmail is my throwaway email. It is not used for shooping other for important things. Just on those occasions when you HAVE to enter an email to do something.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

you will remain logged in unless you manually log out.

That's what I do - I just never log out. Sometimes, I get a notice to start using a passkey, but I select cancel. As long as I do that, and I stay logged in, it's working okay. That could change, because I had a host of problems with it back when I was logging in and out. This is a big concern with me because Hotmail is tied to my SSA account.

 

[OldFeller]

I've had a Hotmail account since 1996. Never any seriously annoying issues yet. I do remain signed in at all times both on my phone and my laptop.

The phone used to sign me out on occasion but signing back in was the usual email address and password.

I never heard of the steps that are described in the OP.

I have two factor authentication on my bank account where they automatically call me with a 6 digit code to sign in.

So I wonder if having Two factor Auth. on your Hotmail would simplify things relative to solving puzzles???

 

[Ted01]

mixed metaphors is what drew my attention... j/s.

Regardless of all that... I agree that many of the recent changes in "Logins" that
I've seen for several different accounts is changing and they all seem to be a PITA!

I can only surmise that it's being done industry-wide because there's some threat
that all these organizations are aware of... threats that demand the organization to
cover their collective backsides.
but IDK...

 

[StarSong]

mixed metaphors is what drew my attention... j/s.

Same-same.

As for mail managing, I use Thunderbird on my desktop and Outlook on my laptop. Both have issues when it comes to Microsoft emails, but I've had those addresses for so long that I'm loath to give them up.
I soldier through as best I can.

Generally speaking, I have no problem with secondary verification or authentication processes, but do find the "click on the crosswalks in these pictures" game a little tedious.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I wonder if having Two factor Auth. on your Hotmail would simplify things relative to solving puzzles???

On my Hotmail, they arbitrarily use two factor authorization, even though I tried to opt out in settings. If and when I have occasionally logged out, I could not get back in without them requiring me to enter a 6 digit code they texted me.

I don't get it why email providers have suddenly become so focused on our security. If I am willing to simply log in with a password, and somehow that puts me at risk, the risk should be all my own choosing, therefore of no concern to them, unless they fear they could be sued for it - and that may be the issue.